The NZ Game Animal Council (GAC) congratulates the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation on successfully submitting their Wapiti Herd of Special Interest (HOSI) proposal to the Minister for Hunting and Fishing, who is now going to consider formally designating wapiti as a HOSI in Fiordland National Park.

To support the Wapiti HOSI, the Government will also introduce a bill to Parliament to clarify the designation of HOSI in national parks, through a small amendment to the Game Animal Council Act 2013. If passed, the bill will clarify that HOSI can be established in national parks as was originally intended and clarify the existing legislation.

Fiordland Wapiti Foundation management globally recognised

“The value of Fiordland wapiti is recognised in the Fiordland National Park Management Plan, representing one of the few truly wild wapiti herds outside their native range, and providing an unparalleled hunting opportunity in one of New Zealand’s most remote and rewarding landscapes,” GAC Chair Grant Dodson says.

“The herd holds historical significance and is a New Zealand hunting icon, gifted to New Zealand by United States President Theodore Roosevelt in 1905.

“In 2011, the Wapiti Foundation began managing Fiordland wapiti under a community agreement with the Department of Conservation. The Foundation has achieved sustained management of wapiti that protects Fiordland’s unique biodiversity first, and provides for hunting purposes second, at near no cost to the taxpayer.

“The Foundation actively manage the wapiti population to reduce impacts on the environment. They also manage six backcountry huts and over 500 predator control traps, protecting native birds like kiwi and whio (blue duck). They have recently established a charitable trust enabling hunters to gift the venison they harvest to food banks.

“The annual wapiti hunting ballot attracts thousands of domestic and international hunters, bringing with it an estimated $1.3 million spend per year. Additionally, wapiti hunters contribute thousands of hours to conservation initiatives.

“The Fiordland Wapiti Foundation are recognised globally for how hunters and conservationists can work together to achieve shared goals, which is something to be celebrated and supported,” Dodson says.

“Designating a Wapiti HOSI will safeguard the long-term gains already being made for conservation, hunters, the economy, and the wider community and ensure they endure, independent of shifting government priorities or resources,” he says.

HOSI process established by GAC

“The Minister for Hunting and Fishing’s ability to designate a HOSI has existed since the GAC’s establishment by legislation in 2013, however no HOSI has ever been created,” Dodson says.

“The reasons for this are complex and include political considerations and lack of a formal process for considering proposals and developing a herd management plan.

“I’d like to acknowledge the significant amount of work that GAC staff have put into establishing systems and processes to enable the development of HOSI proposals.

Without this work, there would not be two HOSI designations being considered by the Minister for Hunting and Fishing.

“I’d like to also acknowledge GAC Council members past and present who have provided governance and support for the HOSI concept, which presents an opportunity to establish consistent and affordable management of game animal herds that are highly valued in New Zealand.

“The GAC looks forward to supporting the Minister, the Department of Conservation and the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation in the next phase of the HOSI process.”

Next steps in the process includes drafting of a herd management plan with consultation on that plan to follow.

The NZ Game Animal Council is a statutory organisation working to improve the sustainable management of game animals and hunting for recreation, communities, commerce and conservation.

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